Flights to Monterey, California

Explore Monterey, United States, where local culture meets regional scenery.

CaliforniaPacific Daylight TimeMRY
Departure
Return
Best round-trip fare
$74.00
Nonstop from
149
Best time to visit
Sep, Oct
Updated
2026-10-28

Monterey travel overview

Monterey lies on California's Central Coast, on the southern side of Monterey Bay in the United States. Combine Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Old Fisherman's Wharf, historic buildings and coastal walks. Population here covers Monterey city limits, rather than the whole county or neighboring cities.

State
California
Population
30,218 (2025)
Time zone
Pacific Daylight Time
Average stay
2–3 days
Nearest airport
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)
Straight-line distance
4.8 km

Popular flights to Monterey

Find the most popular routes to Monterey, with flight times, airlines and typical prices.

Popular flight routes to Monterey
FromFlight timeAirlines(main)Weekly flightsFrom priceRoute
Los Angeles (LAX)80 minAmerican Airlines|Alaska Airlines|Delta Air Lines|United Airlines|Southwest Airlines|Frontier Airlines253$84.00View route
New York (JFK)383 minAmerican Airlines|Alaska Airlines|JetBlue Airways|Delta Air Lines146$329.00View route
San Diego (SAN)90 minAlaska Airlines|United Airlines|Southwest Airlines|Frontier Airlines147$155.00View route
Seattle (SEA)130 minAlaska Airlines|Delta Air Lines|United Airlines143$307.00View route
Chicago (ORD)284 minAmerican Airlines|United Airlines133$269.00View route
San Diego (SAN)85 minAlaska Airlines|Southwest Airlines113$234.00View route

Airports serving Monterey

Candidate airport code(s) associated with Monterey include MRY; verify your ticket's IATA code and ground transport links to central Monterey.

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)

Monterey Regional Airport(MRY/KMRY) serves the Monterey region in California, United States and is a local passenger-arrival airport for Monterey. Plan separately from SJC or SFO intercity transfers, using actual tickets, ground providers and current operations.

Distance to downtown
4.8 km
Typical drive time
Approx. 4 min
Terminals
1
Airlines by route coverage
United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Allegiant Air
Ground transport
The operator lists taxis, Uber/Lyft and MST public buses. Arrange transfers using current routes, pickup points and actual lodging, confirming special vehicle needs in advance. Fares, headways and journey times are unspecified.

Best time to visit Monterey

No data

Average temperature and rainfall

High (°F)Low (°F)Rainfall (in)
100°5″75°4″50°3″25°1″0°0″1: high 59.2°F, low 45.0°F, rainfall 13 mmJan2: high 59.0°F, low 47.5°F, rainfall 97.9 mmFeb3: high 57.9°F, low 47.3°F, rainfall 112.4 mmMar4: high 57.7°F, low 48.6°F, rainfall 32.8 mmApr5: high 59.9°F, low 50.5°F, rainfall 7.1 mmMay6: high 60.8°F, low 51.4°F, rainfall 0.1 mmJun7: high 61.2°F, low 53.1°F, rainfall 1.2 mmJul8: high 65.3°F, low 55.8°F, rainfall 1.1 mmAug9: high 68.9°F, low 58.5°F, rainfall 11.2 mmSep10: high 65.7°F, low 54.7°F, rainfall 34.2 mmOct11: high 62.1°F, low 51.4°F, rainfall 113.1 mmNov12: high 61.0°F, low 50.2°F, rainfall 70 mmDec

Recommended months

September – October

No data

Seasons

WinterNo data

No data

SpringNo data

No data

SummerNo data

No data

AutumnNo data

No data

Top things to do in Monterey

Landmarks, outdoor escapes and local culture for your Monterey itinerary.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Explore habitats such as the kelp forest, sea-otter and ocean exhibits at the aquarium on Cannery Row. Check current exhibits, admission and programs; every animal or activity is not guaranteed on each visit.

Cannery Row

Walk the historic canning district to see retained buildings and overhead connections and learn about maritime and literary history. Check current shops, dining and events; archive photographs do not identify today's businesses.

Old Fisherman's Wharf

Stroll the downtown Monterey waterfront and compare dining, shops or boat activities offered by actual operators. Wildlife and whale-watching depend on natural conditions and current services; sightings are not guaranteed.

Monterey State Historic Park

Explore downtown historic buildings and gardens through Custom House, Pacific House and the Path of History. Check access separately for interiors, gardens and guided walks.

Monterey city transport

Compare practical ways to travel from the airport and around the city.

Monterey transport options
TransportBest forTime to downtownTypical cost
MRY Ground TransportNo data--
MRY Airport to Central Monterey Ground TransferTravelers arriving or departing Monterey via MRY15–50 minUSD 2–35 · estimated one-way airport-to-town; see cost notes · as of 2026-10-20 · Reference estimate (as of 2026-10-20): 15–50 minutes one-way between MRY and central Monterey; from USD 2.0 per person by public transit up to USD 35.0 per vehicle by taxi. Original charging basis: one-way MRY to central Monterey: public bus per person vs taxi per car in USD.
Bay Area Airport TransfersNo data--
Monterey Coastal WalkingNo data--

Where to stay in Monterey

When staying in Monterey, consider central town districts or areas near main transport corridors and MRY airport connections.

Downtown Monterey

Editorial area suggestion: consider downtown for Old Fisherman's Wharf, the historic park and central streets. Compare actual lodging locations, parking, transfers and cancellation terms without assuming hotels, rates or walk times.

Cannery Row Area

Editorial area suggestion: consider the Cannery Row area for the aquarium, historic street and bayfront walks. Confirm the actual lodging location and transfers, keeping neighboring Pacific Grove locations distinct from Monterey city.

Monterey trip planning

Spend your first day exploring central Monterey, local museums, and markets, and dedicate a second day to nearby nature trails or regional landmarks.

Daily budget
USD 110–260 · estimated per person/day in USD; local stay, meals & transit · 2026-10-20 · Reference estimate (as of 2026-10-20): expect about USD 110–260 per person/day for budget-to-midrange lodging, meals, and local transit in Monterey (quoted in USD, excluding flights).
Local time
No data
Tipping
In United States, tipping 15–20% of the pre-tax bill is customary at sit-down restaurants and for taxis; check whether a service charge is already included.
Power outlets
United States uses 120 V, 60 Hz power with standard Type A and Type B outlets.
Accessibility
Main terminal facilities at MRY and modern buildings in Monterey generally provide basic accessible access, while older streets or rural trails may have uneven surfaces.
Suggested stay
2–3 days

Explore more destinations

Continue planning with cities near Monterey.

Popular routes from Monterey

Allow ample buffer time for ground transfers to MRY airport or intercity rail/bus terminals when departing Monterey.

Frequently asked questions about Monterey

What place and population does this page cover?

This page covers Monterey city in California, United States, using the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 V2025 city-limits estimate of 28,953. It does not cover the whole county or Montry in France; neighboring cities are separate.

Which airport is local to Monterey?

Monterey Regional Airport uses MRY/KMRY and is the local arrival airport. SJC and SFO are Bay Area airports requiring separately arranged intercity transport; they are distinct facilities and transfer time is not guaranteed.

Is MRY's replacement terminal already open?

The airport's August 2026 announcement describes the replacement terminal as under construction, with public opening planned for summer 2027. Use the actual operating terminal and later airport notices rather than assuming the planned facility is open.

Should I arrange aquarium tickets in advance?

The aquarium offers advance admission tickets. Check actual dates, ticket types, access and programs, choosing current exhibits to suit your needs rather than assuming fixed prices or identical experiences.

Is the whole coastal trail inside Monterey city?

No. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail spans multiple places. This page focuses on city-coast sections around the wharf, Cannery Row and aquarium; use local rules and access arrangements when entering other cities or cycling areas.

How many days should I plan for Monterey?

Editorial suggestion: start with two to three days, separating the aquarium and Cannery Row from the wharf and historic district. Adjust for boat trips, neighboring cities, reservations, weather and interests. This is itinerary advice rather than a statistic.